How's Israeli Life really is

A Mother's Son: Miki Goldwasser remembers her son Udi on Remembrance Day

2009-04-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

As we once again remember the more than 22 thousand soldiers and civilians who have been killed in wars and acts of terror, we living in Israel cannot help but wonder how women such as Miki Goldwasser, the mother of Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser, can go from being in a state of sad remembering to one of joy when Yom HaZicharon (Soldiers Remembrance Day) changes in just 24 hours to the festivities of Yom

Hopes rise for release of captive Israeli soldier

2009-04-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

There appears to be increased optimism that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit may soon be released from his nearly 3 year captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. Schalit, whose army armor corps unit was attacked on June 25, 2006 while on patrol alongside Israel's Kerem Shalom border area; was taken back to Gaza by his captors following the ambush on his armored personnel carrier in which two

The IDF Launches Air and Ground assaults on Hamas militants

2009-01-13T04:47:00.000-08:00

Following a barrage of rockets and mortar rounds on southern Israeli towns and settlements, Israeli air and ground forces began Operation Cast Lead on December 27 2008 against Hamas militants who have been firing scores of rockets on targets as far as Beer Sheva and Ashdod. The combined air and ground actions have so far resulted in substantial damage to the infrastructure of the Hamas

President Obama and the Jewish State

2008-11-07T01:03:00.000-08:00

In what has been heralded as a historic moment for his country, Senator Barack Hussein Obama was elected November 4 as the 44th President of the U.S.A. by a more than 2 to 1 Electoral vote margin and by more than 7 million popular votes. Obama defeated Senator John McCain, whom many people living in Israel believed would be the better choice for carry on the close relationship between their

Caring For Israels Finest

2008-09-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

LIBI, meaning "My Heart", is a special private fund that was established to provide assistance and services to serving in the Israel Defense Forces, otherwise known as the IDF. Funds received by LIBI are used to assist soldiers in a number of ways, including educational programs, medical assistance programs, assistance for lone or "boded" soldiers who immigrated to Israel without their immediate

Oketz Dog Wars

2008-09-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

War DogsWhen Israeli army units go into battle, or on patrol, Man's Best Friends often go with them. In fact, these canine members of a special unit known as OKETZ (Hebrew for sting) have been so successful that when they are killed in action they are buried in special military cemeteries and receive full military honors. Although dogs have been used by the Israeli military and police units for

Hativat Golani Brigade Attracts Israeli Youth

2008-07-21T02:49:00.000-07:00

Formed during the early years of Israel's existence as a defensive unit to protect Israel's Northern border with Lebanon and Syria, the Hativat Golani Brigade resulted from the combination of two older fighting units, the Lebanon and Carmeli brigades, to form what is now considered as one of the country's top infantry units. Since its formation in February, 1948, the Hativat Golani has seen

Givati Brigade - Israel's Southern Defense Strength

2008-06-17T00:39:00.000-07:00

The IDF's Givati Brigade went into action again on Monday in Israel's southern border with Gaza. Often considered to be the equivalent of the Israeli Military's famed Golani Brigade, stationed mostly on Israel's northern borders with Lebanon and Syria, the Givati Brigade is the IDF's elite mechanized infantry brigade whose primary function is to defend Israel's long southern border with both

The IDF Rebuilds Its Military Infrastructure

2008-06-10T01:43:00.001-07:00

The Israeli Defense Forces, otherwise known as the IDF, have undergone considerable upgrading since the 2006 war in Lebanon. Following the appointment of former Golani Brigade commander Lt. General Gaby Ashkenazi to IDF Chief of Staff, virtually all branches of Israel's military, especially its ground forces, have undergone a number of changes to prepare for a possible future war with the

Reflections on Israeli POW's and the public's reaction towards them on Israel's 60th

2008-05-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, May 2nd, a very interesting article appeared in the Weekend supplement of the Jerusalem Post, Israel's oldest English language newspaper. The article, entitled Stigma of Surrender, and written by correspondent Larry Derfner, dealt with Israelis who had been taken prisoner in various wars, especially the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the first Lebanese War of 1982. Former Israeli POW's

How Israelis Plan To Celebrate Passover, 2008

2008-05-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Israelis have always had a "love-hate" affair when comes to the 7 day holiday known as Pesach (Passover) or Hag HaAviv (Festival of Spring) to secular folk. Pesach is one of Judaism's most beautiful and important festivals as it commemorates the Jew's freedom from slavery under the Egyptian Pharaoh, Ramsis II, more than 3,000 years ago. Like Thanksgiving in America, the Passover Seder is one of

Less murders in Israel as police return to "normal" work

2008-03-04T00:18:00.000-08:00

Despite the recent terrorist attack in Dimona and continued Kassam missile attacks on Sderot, Israel police say they actually have more time now for conducting what they consider to be normal police activities. New Head Police Inspector General Dudi Cohen disclosed that in the year 2007, the number of murders actually decreased in Israel by 21%. Although many serious crimes such as aggravated

Mass Sderot protests after Kassam attacks

2008-02-19T01:25:00.000-08:00

Increasing numbers of Kassam rocket attacks on Sderot are resulting in more casualties as either the Palestinians are getting better at launching on populated areas, or just by the numbers of rockets launched. Whatever the reason, the recent attacks occurring over the weekend, in which two boys in the same family were both seriously injured, and may other people were treated for shock, appears to

Mass Sderot protests after Kassam attacks

2008-02-11T03:32:00.000-08:00

Snow comes again to the Holy City

2008-01-30T03:56:00.000-08:00

Snow comes again to the Holy City With all the 'combinations' of precipitation and lower temperatures coming into form, "Jerusalem the Golden" became all white as the winter season's first snow storm blanked the city with 2 to 3 inches of snow. The snowfall is always a welcome diversion to the city's children, though more a nuisance to their parents since the municipality announced that

Israeli Hip Hopper goes big time

2008-01-30T02:21:00.000-08:00

What is a nice Jewish Israeli girl doing with a bunch of L.A. rappers and hip hop artists? Why she's making a lot of money with them – that's what! Miri Ben Ari began playing the violin when she was a young girl, and more recently switched from classical music to more interesting melodies like gospel, rhythm and blues and jazz after going to America following advice from local entertainment

At Least 3 Reasons to Keep the Golan Heights

2007-08-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

I just came back from 3 wonderful days of vacation in the Golan Heights. We enjoyed the wide open spaces, the stunning nature trails, the flowing water in the streams and waterfalls... Who could ever dream of giving this away to Syria? But apart from the stunning natural landscapes, there are at least three very good reasons why Ehud Olmert would be wise not to negotiate at all on

Needed: More Inspiration for Israeli Youth

2007-08-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

A recent editorial in the Jerusalem Post stated that 25% of today's youth in Israel do want to be in military service, or have been disqualified from the military due to physical of emotional problems. No longer are the country's youth considering careers in the military either, as even this opportunity is becoming less available due to budget tightening measures to help keep the country's

Shimon Peres Becomes Israel's 9th President

2007-07-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

In a ceremony fraught with pageantry and fanfare Former Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres was sworn in July 15 as the 9th President of the State of Israel. In a moving Knesset ceremony, Peres took the oath of what is usually a largely ceremonial position similar to Britain's Queen Elizabeth. In his acceptance speech afterwards, however, Peres (who usually loves to be in the center of

Despite Everything – They Still Come

2007-07-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

Almost one year to the day after the outbreak of last summer's Lebanon II war, 220 new Olim arrived Tuesday, July 10, aboard an El Al flight from New York. Participants in the highly successful Nefesh B'Nefesh program, this event was featured on Israel television and included interviews with several new arrivals who said that despite leaving relative comforts and familiar surroundings in America,

Live Earth – The Aftermath

2007-07-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

The concerts attracted audiences from all over the globe, with live music in major world cities ranging from Sydney Australia to New York. Some of the planet's most well known entertainers took part, including Black Eyed Pea, Madonna, Phil Collins, Police, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Snoop Dog, and more. Even Israel had its own version in central Tel Aviv, playing ironically only meters from the spot

When the "Prophet" Comes to Call

2007-07-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

9-11, Bali, Baghdad, Beirut, Delhi, Madrid, Kenya, London, and now Glasgow, the list of terror operations and attempted terror operations being carried out either by Al Qaeda, and organizations affiliated with Al Qaeda grows on and on. Only a year ago, a massive air-terror attack involving at least 20 international flights from London to New York was thwarted when special liquid explosive bombs

Haste is From the Devil

2007-07-02T01:48:00.000-07:00

Temperatures have returned to normal after last week’s record electricity consumption in Israel...After demonstrations and anger at President Katsav’s plea bargain...And after gasoline prices rose again last night by 1.65%.Yes, Israel is definitely a high energy, hot-blooded country.A country of Jews from Morocco, Yemen, Spain, Germany, Hungary, England, France, India, Iraq, Canada, you name it –

What Really Happened in the Middle East?

2007-06-25T02:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Israel In light of the recent conference being held in Sharam al Shiekh, everyone should look at this presentation sent to us by Bruce Tuchman.This is WHAT THE ARABS REALLY WANT IN THE MIDDLE EAST!,What Really Happened in the Middle East?A 10-minute flash video produced by the Terrorism Awareness Project.Terrorism Awareness Project is a program of the David Horowitz Freedom

A Home for Israel’s Soldiers

2007-06-25T01:30:00.000-07:00

Let’s keep away from the political scene this week.After all, people do try and live normal lives in Israel.But we will stick with the IDF and see how they’re doing on the home front.Well, the good news is the Government has recently approved the establishment of a number of military neighborhoods in the Negev.Since IDF training bases will now be moved south, hundreds of career soldiers will need